Elton John stopped traffic along the iconic Sunset Strip on Saturday with thousands of fans lining the streets for a special concert to thank the city of West Hollywood and its residents for their continued support of the Elton John AIDS Foundation and its Academy Awards Viewing Party over many years.
The free 60 minute concert was held outside of the old Tower Records, a place very special to Elton. Fans around the world were able to enjoy the high-energy outdoor show, as it was streamed live exclusively on AOL.com. The show was co-presented by AOL BUILD and BBVA Compass.
The set list was packed with favorites including “Rocket Man” and “Tiny Dancer” and a powerful rendition of “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me” with special guest Lady Gaga, plus new favorites from his recently released album Wonderful Crazy Night.
"The City of West Hollywood has welcomed the Elton John AIDS Foundation and our annual Academy Awards Viewing Party with open arms for many years, providing us with the perfect environment to host a really fun and special evening,” said Elton John. “We are profoundly grateful for their generous support, so I wanted to do something special just for them by giving our West Hollywood fans and supporters a surprise concert. Thank you, West Hollywood!"
"This event marks an incredible moment in our commitment to delivering live programming each and every day for audiences worldwide," said Suzanne Lindbergh, Senior Vice President of AOL.com Live and Original Programming. "At AOL BUILD we're honored to celebrate the iconic Elton John and his important message in a live digital broadcast event like no other."
“West Hollywood has a special relationship with the Elton John AIDS Foundation, including as the host City to its annual Academy Awards Viewing Party. The Foundation has a vision that our community deeply embraces — that the fight against AIDS can be won,” said Mayor Lindsey P. Horvath. “Elton John is a music legend and an extraordinary person. I’m overjoyed that he played a special concert on The Sunset Strip in recognition of our city’s support — West Hollywood loves Elton John.”
"BBVA is proud to partner with Elton John this Oscar weekend in promoting our shared belief that everyone deserves dignity and a bright future," said Jennifer Kelly Dominiquini, BBVA Chief Marketing and Digital Sales Officer.
Elton sat down with AOL BUILD to discuss why the event means so much to him; visit AOL.com to watch the interview.
The Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) will present its 24th annual Academy Awards® Viewing Party Wonderful Crazy Night on Sunday, February 28, 2016, at West Hollywood Park in Los Angeles. Elton John and David Furnish will host the gala event.
Elton John setlist February 28, 2016 West Hollywood
The Bitch Is Back (from Caribou, 1974) Bennie and the Jets (from Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, 1973) Looking Up (from Wonderful Crazy Night, 2016) Blue Wonderful (from Wonderful Crazy Night, 2016) Levon (from Madman Across The Water, 1971) Rocket Man (from Honky Chateau, 1972) Your Song (from Elton John, 1970) Tiny Dancer (from Madman Across The Water, 1971) A Good Heart (from Wonderful Crazy Night, 2016) Wonderful Crazy Night (from Wonderful Crazy Night, 2016) Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me (from Caribou, 1974) Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting (from Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, 1973)
